John McCarthy to referee Tito Ortiz’s final fight tonight at Bellator 170

Tonight (Sat., Jan. 21, 2017) will feature one of the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) fights of the year, as Tito Ortiz makes his final walk to the cage opposite trashtalking wizard Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170 live on Spike TV from inside The Forum in Inglewood, California. It is a matchup long overdue and the first appearance for Sonnen since losing to Rashad Evans back in 2013.

With such a high-profile contest on hand, it’s only fitting that the best referee in MMA is called upon to assist with the action. According to California State Athletic Commission executive commissioner Andy Foster, referee John McCarthy will be responsible for calling the Ortiz vs. Sonnen bout (h/t MMA Fighting). The Bellator 170 main event tilt is a huge contest for the promotion, so it’s good to know that McCarthy will get to mediate the carnage and send Ortiz off in style.

Ortiz, 41, will calls it quits whether he wins or loses at Bellator 170. He has produced a 2-1 record inside of the Bellator cage since leaving Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) back in 2012. “The Huntington Beach Bad Bay” will cap off one of the best light heavyweight careers of all time in front of his home state of California.